Retort



Oct. 17, 1933.

E. L. SCHULTZ REVTORT Filed Marh 22, 1929 In ren'for 3 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Oct. 17, 1933. I SCHULTZ 1,931,417

' RETORT Fj led March 22. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ere/1hr Oct. 17, 1933. L, SCHULTZ 1,931,417

RETORT Filed March 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Emma? L, ada 2" Patented Oct. 17,1933

UNITEDSTATES 1,931,417 f as'roit'r Ernest LeslieSchultz, East Melbourne, Victoria,

v Australia Application March 22, 1929, Serial No. 349,175, i

and in Australia Nvem ber 22,.1 928 o is Claims. (Cl. 202-104 This invention relates to a retort for" the destructive distillation of carbonaceous material such as coal, shale, lignite and other organic substances and has been devised to provide a retort of great utility wherein the organic materials are passed in a thin film from the top of the retort to the bottom in the direction opposite to the heat, and further with, the use of a retort as hereinafter described a maximum result is obtained through the factors of a reasonable amount of material fed continuously, high efficiency and safety in operation, a positive force feed and discharge, the

total elimination of dust in the distillate which obviates clogging, the prevention of the adherence of carbon to the retort shell; and high efiiciency in the application of heat, all form essential features embodied in the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a retort immune from any defects of expansion or contraction, the Working of the retort being thus un-' impaired, while the elimination of dust allows of the continuous working.

r A further object of the invention is to construct a retort wherein the material in its passage through the retort is subjected to a positive continual motion in the manner of a screw, the, niotion of the material preventing the carbonized material from adhering to the retort heating shell at the 'same time confining the material tothe heating space around said-shell and, preventing it from being forced out, as the constant steady movement of the material through the heating space and discharge has a scrapingeffect and by feeding the material in a thin film through the retort in the manner of a spiral or screw, a maximum area is presented and period of treatment is effected in the retort.

-A retortin accordance with this invention is characterized by a refractory center with a central passage therein leading from a burner to the stack, the retort center .having passages leading therefrom 'to form a circumferential'space between the said center and a cylinder surrounding I it, the central passage of therefractory centerincorporating a valve, to control the heatv from the burner, an intermediate member being disposed around the said refractory center comprising 7 said casing and pipes rotate,

fitted thereon a screw or spiral edge, an outer cylinder; being disposed externally of the shells with gas pipes emanating therefrom into seals in which the outer cylinders and gas pipes rotate.

A feature; of the inventioncomprises the provision of a tier of overlapping truncated conical shells rotating within the heating space of the retort, and being adapted to intermittently operate in a vertical direction, the shellshaving a spiral edge or worm thereon extending towards the inner heating cylinder of the retort whereby. the material being treated is forced down and around the said heating space in a spiral path around the inner heating cylinder to rotary meansfor continuously discharging the residue. A further feature of the invention consists in that the tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells are continuouslyrotated and also intermittently raised'and lowered around-anin- V, ner heating cylinder andwithin an outer rotating casing, the'upper and lower cylinders support-' ing the said shells being provided with seals while the outer casing has,emanatingytherefrom'gas pipes also provided with seals within which the One form of retort for carrying the'principal j method and essential features ,above described into practical effect will now be described with reference to the, accompanying, -'drawin'gs in which:' -'j i Figure; lais a verticalcross sectional viewofthe top portion ofthe retort Figure 1b, is a ;vertical cross sectional View of the bottom portion of the retort, J r Figure12 is-aplan view, 9') Figure '3 is, a vertical-cross sectional view, of a f detaiL'and m W Figure-dis a side view ofa detail, V e According to this invention the retort 5 is con- I str'ucted of fire brick or refractory material at 6 with spaced external projecting portions 7 as at '7 fro'mthebottom tothe top to allow of thepassagerof'theheat'ing gases froman' oil burner 8'or firebox 91 disposed below the same and over an inner fixed steel cylinderlO whichisi formed around therefractory centeroand above the fire brick is domed to a narrow diameter;

the narrower, tube orchimney stack :11 extending upwardly to, connect the building frame 12 to afford the necessary support at the upperendt The refractorycenter '6 of the fire brick has a central passage 13 with'cros's passes 14 near the top to lead the combustible gases to the heat-J ing cy1inder 10 at one or more points-to obtain 1 the lighter fractions and this central passage is 110 lining 18 on the outside and this lining is surrounded by the fixed inlet feed tube 19 from a bunker 20 disposed above the lever thereof, so that the material is fed by gravity to an enclosed space 21 around the dome 20 above the centre of the retort. v

This enclosed spaceis' formed by anupper enclosed extension 22 of an intermediate framing and is formed with an internal ring 22a entering a seal 222) formed around the inlet tube 197 This intermediate framing is composed of spaced ve tical angle bars 23 forming supports for the tier of overlapping'inverted truncated conical shells 24' hereinafter described, the portion below the said shells 24 being in the form of a cylinder 25 and extends into a rotating circular trough 26 near the bottom of the retort and below the level of the lowest gas pipe.

Between this lower cylinder 25 and the inner fixed cylinder 10 a space 27 for the residue or spent material is provided below the overlapping shells 24, and this cylinder 25 is formed with a spiral feeder 28 for the spent material which is delivered to the trough 26 in which liquid is also filled while the bottom cylindrical fixed member 29 for the retort 5vwhich supports the inner shell 10 is also provided with an extension ring 30 in a fixed liquid seal 31.-

The angle ir'onrbars 23 are thus fastened to the upper'and lower cylindrical members 22, '25

of "the retort and on the inside extending-diaga onally in a downward and inward direction; so

that they overlap each other, is atier of trunoatedconical shells 24 suspended in the heating space 32, the said shells being fitted to the vertical angle beams. g These truncated conical shells 24 overlap each spaced 'otheras illustrated to allowof expansion and contraction and each shell extends downwardly at an 'angle towards the inner heating cylinder 10 of the retort 5, each shell'24 overlapping the next lower shell 24 and leaving a narrow gas space therebetween; the overlap being of sufli-' ci'entlengthto prevent the material being forced back through the openings 33 thus formed.

As above described the roof'22c of the upper cylinder 22 of the inner fixed cylinder 10 is formed with a downturned flange or ring. '22aat the centre and: is received in a' seal 22b 'formed in-a circular-trough 2211 at the bottom of the bunker feeding. chute 19, the trough 22d being returned upwardly within the roof 220 above the bottom level of the flange or ringr22a above mentioned; m

Externally Of: the overlapping shells 24' and 1 1 their supporting bars or beams'23 is a gas space 32- substantially thin, receiving the gases from the material in-theirvarious fractions and this gas spaceis enclosed by anouter steel cylinder 34.

"Theiintermediate upperand lower cylinders 22; a 25 which support the angle bars or beams-23 carrying the truncated conical overlapping shells 24 are supportedby a pla-tform'35 supported on a pluralityof rollers 36 in bearings 37 which are supported on the H iron beams 38.

' The outer cylinder 34 which may be externally spaced overlapping conical shells 24 are rotated while externally of the inner metal fixed cylinder 10 of the retort 5 and carried by the inner edges of the overlapping shells 24 to which it is bolted is a screw or spiral worm edge 39 or other scraper which extends from the top to the bottom of the length of the tier-of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells 24.

In order to increase the efficiency of the retort and ensure the movement of the material continuously through the heating space, additionally to the rotary motion, an intermittent and limited vertical 'motion-is imparted to the overlapping shells 24 to give the material a shaking or jarring motion toprevent the material adhering to the inner fixed cylinder 10 at any point of contact on its path to the discharge.

to or forming on theunderside of the platform 35 a plurality Iofspaced fixed cams 35b in the path of the rollers 36 with the gradually rising surface 3500f each 'cam leading to the rollers so that on the rollers 36 passing the end 35d of the cams, the whole platform and consequently the overlapping shells 24 drop suddenly and then have a gradual rise and then a sudden drop to provide the shaking or jarring motion to the material, the rack surfaces 54 being of sufficient depth 'to allow of this movement while still remaining ingear with the pinions 51 of the drive, and in order to limit the upward movement of the platform overlapping shells24 and other parts supported thereby, rollers 36a are suspended from a frame 361; a short distance above the platform 35, this beingnecessary as if the material clogs,the back pressure would force the rotating parts upwardly, particularly if the rotating mechanism is held up for any reason. 1 It is preferred that v the .worm edges on th overlapping shells 24 be not arranged in line, but are stepped as illustrated in Figure 3 so that-after each drop. it bights in a new place and so continually grips a new surface of the material to assist the passage thereof. l

At points around the circumference of the outer cylinder 34 .are seals 40 intowhich respectively lead gas pipes 41 extending. from the. cylinder 34 for the gasfrom the gas space 32 and thesegas pipes 41 receive from slots 42 in the shell'and rotate in the water seals 40 while a pipe or pipes 43 extend into the hoodabove the liquid level and then to a closed shallow depth seal44 through which it bubbles and from which it is then led to an exhauster45 or exhaustersso that the distillates can be further treated by fractional distillation, the closed seal also having ata'ke-ofl pipe 46 to" an oil tankinot shown) The seals 40 areprovided with overflow pipes 47 a s illustrated, I v I 'The outer cylinder 34 (and by it'theintermediate upperand lower cylinders 22 and 25 supporting the angle bars 23 and the overlapping shells 24) is rotated preferably by a worm gear 48 driving a vertical shaft 49 in turn at each end driving a pinion 5O gearing with a pinion 51 supported in bearings 52 mounted to the'beams l 1 v 100' One means for imparting the intermittentmo- V tion to the overlapping shells consists in fitting 53, the latter pinions 51 gearing with spaced circular racks 54 fitted to the outer shell 34.

As above described the lower rotating cylinder 25 below the tier of overlapping shells 24 leads the spent material or residue into a seal 26 forming an element of the rotating discharge means.

This seal 26 is supportedon acircular band or rollers 55 mounted on spindles 56 in bearings 57 fitted to the member 29 of the retort 5 and the seal 26 has an outwardly extending rim 58 fitted with a rack 59 gearing with a pinion 60 on a horizontal shaft 61 mounted in bearings 62 and carrying fast and loose pulleys 63, M the shaft being driven from any suitable source of power.

On one side of the retort a scraper 65 which may be formed in the manner of a stationary plough-share extends into the discharge seal-26, the share guidingthe material into a chute 66 leading to a truck 67 preferably on rails 68 for easy handling, thus providing for the automatic and continuous discharge of the residue or spent material.

In operation, the material is fed from the bunker 20 to the receiving space 21 from whence it is forced in a film from the top to the bottom of the heating space 69 in which the tier of overlapping truncated conical shells 24 operate and combined with the spiral worm edge 39 bolted thereto and along the length of the tier of shells allows of a slow continuous screwing, forcing and scraping of the material through the heating space to the discharge as above described, so preventing the carbon and deleterious matter produced in. the gasification of the material from adhering to the inner heating cylinder 10 of the retort by scraping the cylinder walls 10 in the constant steady movement of the treated material through the heating space and discharge, the feeding'of the material through the heating space and the discharge of the spent material being continuous and automatic as above described.

If desired, the overlapping shells'24 need, not be fitted with the screw 39 or other form of scraper, the weight of the material being suincient to force itself towards the discharge end.

Pyrometer rings 72 are provided around the circumference of the retort 5 enabling the registration of the temperature, the rings being spaced Two lead wires 70, 71 from the element 69a,v

connect the rings 72 and two collector brushes 73, 74, one on each ring, extend tothe instrument so that on rotation the temperature is continuously recorded.

I desire it to be understood that various improvements and modifications may be embodied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the method, functions and essential features of which are above described.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:--

1. A vertical retort comprising a heating cylinder located within said retort and positioned vertically, two superposed vertical cylinders spaced from each other surrounding said heating cylinder and spaced horizontally therefrom and concentric therewith and mounted for rotation on their axes, a member between said heating cylinder and said superposed vertical cylinders and surrounding and spaced horizontally from said heating cylinder and attached to the upper of said superposed vertical cylinders, a tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells spaced from each other and surrounding said heating cylinder and having their axesvertical between said heating cylinder'and said. member and spaced'horizontally from said heating cylinder and concentric with said heating cylinder, said shells being attached to said member, means for intermittently vertically. raising and lowering said shells, an annular trough concentric with said heating cylinder and surrounding one of said superposed vertical cylinders, anannular projection upon each of said superposed vertical cylinders concentric therewith and said trough for providing means for sealing the space between the two superposed cylinders from the atmosleading from the retort center forming a circumferential space between the retortcenter and a cylinder surrounding the same, a valve for controlling the heat from the burner, a member comprising two superposed vertical cylinders spaced from'each other surrounding said cylinder and spaced horizontally therefrom and concentric therewith, a plurality of spaced bars between the upper and lower cylinders for support- 1 ing said member, a tier of overlapping, inverted, truncated conical shells spaced from each other and having their axes vertical between said cylinder and said member and spaced from said cylinder and said member and concentric with said cylinder, said shells being attached to said member, means forintermittently raising and lowering shells, an annular trough surrounding on of the superposed cylinders, an annular proje'ction on each of said superposed cylinders concentric therewithand extending into said trough for providing means for sealing the space between the superposed cylinders from the atmosphere, means for conveying gas from the space between the conical shells andthe said member through the space between the two superposed cylinders,

means for rotating said member on, its axis and thereby rotating said shells'andmeans forcontinuously discharging the solid residue from the retort at the lower part thereof. 1

3. A vertical retort comprising a vertical heating cylinder positioned within said retort, a member also positioned within said retort andsurroundingsaid heating cylinder, a tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells spaced from each other and surrounding said heating cylinder and spaced therefrom and carried by said member, means for intermittently moving said shells in a vertical direction, 'means for rotating said member upon a vertical axis and thereby rotating said shells, an outer rotary cylinder mounted for rotation on its axis and surrounding said member and said shells, an annular trough surrounding said outer rotary cylinder, gas

off-take means upon said rotary cylinder for conveying gas through the same extending into said trough for sealing the gas take-off from the atmosphere, means for passage of gas from the space between theheating cylinder and the shells 4. A vertical retort comprising a vertical heating cylinder for said retortlocated within said retort, a member positioned within said retort surrounding said heating cylinder, a' tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells spacedfrom each other and surrounding said heating cylinder and spaced therefrom and carried by said member, means for intermittently moving said shells in a vertical direction, means for rotating said member upon a vertical axis and thereby rotating said shells, an outer rotary cylinder mounted for rotation on its axis and surrounding said shells and said member, means for passage of gas from the space between said shells and said heating cylinder to the outside of said retort, a spiral edge upon said shells extending towards said heating cylinder, discharging means located at the base of said retort for discharging solid material from the same and a screw for feeding solid material from the base of said" shells into said discharging means.

for rotating said member and thereby rotating said shells in order to convey the 'material in a spiral passage around said heating cylinder and a spiral guide upon said member below said tier for discharging solid residue from said retort. I

6. A vertical'retort comprising a vertical heat ing cylinder located within said retort, a member surroundingsaid heating cylinder and also located within said retort, a tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells carried by said member and spaced from each other and surrounding said heating cylinder and spaced therefrom, means for rotating said member upon a vertical axis and thereby rotating said shells, a

platform fixed to said member for supporting said member, fixed cams upon said platform, sup-- porting rollers for said platform mounted for traversing said fixed cams, said cams being arranged to produce a gradual rise and sudden 7. A vertical retort comprising a fixed vertical.

heating cylinder located within said retort, a vertical outer cylinder surrounding said heating cylinder and spaced therefrom, means for rotating said outer cylinder on its vertical axis, a member located within said retort between said heating cylinder and said outer cylinder and spaced from said heating cylinder and said outer cylinder, at tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells spaced from each other and surrounding said heating cylinder and spaced therefrom and carried by said member, said shells be; ing suspended in the annular space between said heating cylinder and said outer cylinder, means for reciprocating said shells vertically, said member being connected to 'saidouter cylinder so that upon rotation of said outer cylinder said member and the shells carried thereby will also be rotated, a spiral edge formed upon said shells to grip material passing through the retort upon each reciprocation of the shells in order to direct the solid material against the surface of said heating cylinder and means for continuously dis chargingsolid material from the retort at a lower portion thereof. a

8. A vertical retort comprising a fixed vertical member also positioned within said retort and surrounding said fixed heating cylinder, a tier of overlapping inverted truncated conical shells spaced from each other and mounted upon said member between said member and said heating cylinder, said shells surrounding said heating cylinder and being spaced therefrom, a vertical outer rotary cylindersurrounding said member and fixed thereto and mounted for rotation on its axis, means for reciprocating said shells in a vertical direction, means for rotating said rotary cylinder and thereby said member upon a vertical axis and thereby rotatingsaid shells and a spiral edge upon said shells for feeding solid material heating cylinder located withinsaid retort, a'

in the retort in'a spiral manner around said heating cylinder. V

, ERNEST LESLIE SCHULTZ. 

